The First Sunday of the Blessed Month of Meshir

The readings of this day focus on the glory of the Son of God in the new man. Hence, the Psalms begins with revealing God’s glory within man (Vesper Psalm), through the word of life (Matin Psalm), and through its existence within His holy church (Liturgy Psalm).

The Psalms

The Vesper Psalm talks about God the judge, whose children are everywhere and they are His inheritance within the nations; whom by Him have become godly and partakers of His nature: “Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations. I said, ‘You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High’” (Ps. 82: 8, 6). Through the Morning Psalm we understand living in the light with God’s radiance that is hidden in His word, is matter of grace that requires permanent supplication from man: “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statutes” (Ps. 119: 105, 135). The Liturgy Psalm confirms that this glory and majesty is associated with and because of His permanent presence: “Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary” (Ps. 96: 6).

The Epistles

The readings show the glory of the justification of man through Christ (Pauline epistle), the glory of growth through knowing Him (Catholic epistle) and the splendor of the protection and providence for His bride the church (Praxis).

The Pauline Epistle reveals the glory of the new man in Christ: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you… Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” (1 Cor. 6: 2, 3). The readings also shows how mankind was taken up from the lowest of sins to the degree of saints: “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6: 10–11).

However, the Catholic epistle warns us that this honor requires diligence (i.e. toil), caution, watchfulness, and continual growth in grace: “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless… beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3: 14, 17, 18).  

As for the Praxis reading, it shows the glory of the Son of God who defends His children but who also visits those who resist Him out of ignorance: “As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven… And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (Acts 9: 3, 5).

Gospels

The Gospels declare the glory of the Son of God which is unlike that of mankind or of the world (Vesper Gospel), against which death cannot stand (Matin Gospel) and the glory of the enduring and everlasting food (Liturgy Gospel).

The Vesper Gospel shows the difference between that glory that the Jews were waiting to see – in the form of an earthly king, a temporary authority and earthly gifts – and His true glory, which He desires for us such that his divine peace is poured out upon us in richness and abundance: “Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone … they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid’” (John 6: 15, 19, 20).

As for the Matin Gospel, it shows the glory of His divine word that protects one from eternal perdition: “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death” (John 8: 51). Jesus also affirms that His divine glory has been seen by the prophets many years before His incarnation, just as when father Abraham had seen the glory of the planned salvation of the Lord, through the eye of prophecy, that was to be revealed to mankind: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad” (John 8: 56). Jesus also declares that the glory of the Father is the same as the glory of Son and that it is one and inseparable: “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me” (John 8: 54).

Finally the Liturgy Gospel asks us, just as the Lord asked the crowds, for what purpose do we seek Him? And to which aim do we come to Him? Is it for earthly or heavenly matters? It is for things that perish or for those that are everlasting? Is He (Jesus) only a means for achieving what we desire? Or is He the utmost aim we need to know and are hungry to have? “And they came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, ‘Rabbi, when did You come here?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him’” (John 6: 24–27).